So, we adore/ or respect her as a mother. Would the following make sense? 彼は立派な学生と慕う／立派な学生と慕う彼は。He who is respected as a fine student/ I respect/ adore him a fine student.
– Grant PostonMay 31 at 18:16

Btw, thank you so much for helping me out. I'm reading the promised neverland right now. I kind of figured the general meaning of this sentence but wanted to know what was going on grammatically. Appreciate it!
– Grant PostonMay 31 at 18:21

@GrantPoston If "he" is the topic of the sentence and he is respected by many, you usually have to say 彼は立派な学生と慕われている or 立派な学生と慕われている彼 using the passive voice. In your case, I think the active voice is used because there is a particular person in the story who respects her like a mother. This use of と is discussed in this question.
– narutoMay 31 at 21:27